News

Barnet police officer pleads guilty to child sex offences

PC Adam Merriman admitted making and distributing indecent images of children at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday

A lamp featuring the words 'Metropolitan Police' in white on blue glass
(Credit – Met Police)

A police officer working in Barnet pleaded guilty to a series of child offences yesterday. 

PC Adam Merriman, who worked with a Metropolitan Police team covering Barnet, Barnet and Harrow, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court charged with three counts of making an indecent image of a child, three counts of distributing an indecent image of a child, and resisting arrest.

He pleaded guilty to all seven offences and has been remanded in custody. He will appear at Southwark Crown Court on a date to be confirmed. 

Merriman was arrested on Thursday (7th March) and later charged. He resigned from the Met yesterday. 

Merriman was previously acquitted of harassment and assault of a woman known to him, following a trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in 2017. After that incident, an investigation was carried out by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards who found a case to answer at the level of misconduct.

Commenting following Merriman’s guilty plea, Chief Superintendent Sara Leach, in charge of policing for the area, said: “I recognise and share the shock and concern this news will cause among our local community and across London. I will be speaking to our partners and community forums to listen to their views in the coming days.

“Investigating officers worked quickly to charge PC Merriman after his arrest for these incredibly serious offences. Misconduct proceedings will now take place as soon as possible.”


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